July 4, 2016 "escuchan las palabras de los profetas y no los destruyen"

Tortillas: 12 (¡Twev!)

Una semana con menos lluvia y mas sol, que bendición! Well, there was much more sun and less rain, but right now the rain is coming down very hard! This week has been amazing as we have begun to work in areas that have not really been reached by other missionaries. Not that they are super far, just a bit hidden, and thanks to some planning we have begun to work there and find many new people to teach! But, this has lead to quite a bit of walking, but it is great to return home every night so very tired. This week we also had the chance to do divisions twice, once I was with Elder Hatch and the other I was with Elder Moreno. It is great to work with and learn from great missionaries. 

Mejor Milagro:


One day we decided to try a short cut that supposodly would bring us to a part of our area faster. Basically, it took us through the middle of the jungle, and we got lost.

 But, as we were lost we ended up arriving to the back yard of a house. They were crushing up corn to feed the chickens, a mother and her daughter, so we offered to help. We had met the daughter a while earlier because we had actually knocked their door, but the family did not accept us. We did this simple act of service (Which was surprisingly tiring) and were able to get to know them and gain their trust. They were very happy for our help, because we were able to do quickly what would have taken them a long time. We had to leave for an appointment, but we asked if we could stop by later that night to share a message with the entire family, and they accepted! As we arrived that night we met the son of the woman and her other daughter. She has 2 other sons who are in United States, and her ex husband who also went about 11 years ago. This has been very hard for her and her family, and has basically disintegrated their entire family. We did not know where we were going, but the Lord knew exactly, and he lead us to this family who in any other way would not have accepted us. As we were able to share but a bit of our message, they are very receptive and want to learn for themselves how this can bless them. I know that God knows each and every one of us personally and all of our challenges.


Testimony Time:


In the Book of Mormon, we read of many of the consequences of those that are not willing to follow the commandments of God. What I like about this scriptures, is it talks about the blessings for the righteous that follow Gods chosen servants, found in 2 Nefi 28:8


8 But behold, the righteous that hearken unto the words of the prophets, and destroy them not, but look forward unto Christ with steadfastness for the signs which are given, notwithstanding all persecution—behold, they are they which shall not perish.


What a glorious blessing that our God has always and will always communicate to us through his chosen servants, the prophets. That is one of the most amazing things that I can share with people every day, is that God has not stopped to reveal his word, but continues to guide us in our modern world through modern day Prophets. Many do not believe, truthfully most and not willing to believe, but I testify to all that we can know of the truth of this for our selves thanks to the fruit that God brought to light through the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon: Another testament of Jesus Christ. I testify that it is the word of God, that he revealed anciently to the habitants of America. I testify that through these chosen servants, we can "look forward unto Christ with steadfastness" and we can know exactly what God wishes for us in our days. It saddens me so much that so many people are not willing to know of this for themselves, because what an amazing blessing it is for us as individuals and as families. I testify that Thomas S Monson is a prophet of God, and no matter what amount of persecution I could receive I testify. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, called to restore the Church of Jesus Christ, the same that he established when he was on this earth. Through that restoration, we have all of the knowledge necessary for our salvation and to be able to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father, and as families.


I invite all to come to know for themselves, and of this I testify in every moment, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


--

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

Celebrating the 4th of July!

Elder Worthen is a great addition to the mission, he takes great care of the missionaries housing.

Friend we met on the streets, he makes life pretty fun when we see him!

June 27, 2016 "consultar a su Dios"

Tortillas: 10


Tal vez no, Gracias. Well, this was another great week! It was busy including interviews with President Smith, a trip to Xela for divisions with Elder McLain and Elder Lui,

 and a stake mission activity that did not go very well jaja! We planned on 12 families arriving, and only 3 came. It was a scripture hunt, but apparently they were not so down for the hunt. A huge blessing was to see progress in the areas are the people that we are finding. A funny experience this week was teaching a man, and in the middle of the lesson he decided to lay down and go to sleep! It is interesting how some people reject us jaja! Even though we find many people that are not willing to hear what we bring, we continue to see how the chosen can be found, and those who are ready for amazing blessings in their lives are willing to hear the voice of the Lord!



Mejor Milagro:


When I was with Elder McLain (In my old area of Los Altos by the way) we had an appointment fall. So, we felt the need to find those in need in a small of street. We arrived to the house of a woman who was sweeping her terasa. I began to talk to her, and boldly but simply stated "The Lord Jesus Christ has sent us here, and I believe it is for you. Can we come in?" She let us in. As we began to talk, the conversation lead to what she knew about the Church and that she had actually been to the temple open house before it was dedicated. This lead to us coming to know about many serious troubles she had been having in her family. We were able to share and testify about how much the Gospel of Jesus Christ helps families, and oh how sweet and true it is! We share with her a small video called "Follow me" and we came to see that she had been prepared to come to know the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. For me, the gratest blessing of serving is being able to act and speak on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I know he sends us to those that are in most need.

Testimony Time:


In my studies I have entered into the "Isaiah" chapters when Nefi quotes Isaiah. It usually is hard to get a lot out of it, but I found that the Lord is always able to teach us. The verse that touched me this week is more easily understood in spanish, but here it is in english. 2 Nefi 18:19


19 And when they shall say unto you: Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter—should not a people seek unto their God for the living to hear from the dead?


First, the word that it uses in spanish for seek is "consultar" which can also mean consult or seek counsel. What I really liked is that we can learn that what a blessing it is that we have the opportunity to have a personal relationship with the greatest almight being of the universe. We have the chance to seek is counsel in all that we do, and he is so very willing to give us the advice that we need. He loves us so much, and he wants to guide us, but as we learn in the scritpures we must first come unto him and his promises are clear to answer those that ask and guide those that seek. What he wants from us is that we are worthy of his guidance, and that we are willing to do what he instructs us to do. If we search for his help, but deep down we are not willing to follow what he tells us, why would he give us help? Logical, right? As his sons and daughters, we can call down upon the powers of the divinity in the moments that we need him, and he is ALWAYS there to send us his angels and what we truly need. I see this every day as I rely on him to do his work. I have come to see that I need him every day, and truly have engraved the songs of what has come to be one of my favortite hymns, "Abide with me". I know that the Lord is willing to be with us, and what an amazing blessing to be in constant communication with him. I love my Saviour and Heavenly Father with all of my heart, and rejoice daily that they have sent the Holy Spirit to be our constant companion. I invite all to seek this relation and to see his guidance in all we do, and he is there always. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.


--

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

June 20, 2016 "mas solamente di la palabra"

Tortillas: 14

Another wonderful week in the blessed city of Huehuetenango!

I am so grateful to see how much the Lord is working with us and helping us find those that are in most need of this gospel. It continues to rain A LOT, so my companion and I bought our rain coats at a store for 1 quetzal. Ok, they are garbage bags that we put on. But it works for what we need! We continue to get to know the members and work more with them. It was sad to see how many people are so closed that they simply will not even take a moment to listen and see how much what we bring can bless their lives and the lives of their families, but we still find many that have their hearts soft enough to let the Lord change them.

Mejor Milagro:

One day we went to find some investigators in a village in our area. As we arrived, it did not feel right that we were where we were, so we decided to go to a small group of houses more towards the city. As we arrived to look for some investigators, we found some women that were fighting. We felt to go over and after they had finished fighting to talk to each one. It was the perfect moment that we arrived because they were very open to receiving the message of the restoration with their families, and one of them even mentioned to us that she had been looking for another church because of contentions that had been happening within the church that she has been going to. I know that the Lord lead us to where he needed us to find his prepared children, and we have seen how he does it every day.

Testimony Time:

I started the New Testament again this week, and I really been built by learning from the Life of Jesus Christ how I can minister better. I really liked what occured in Mateo 8, many example of faith, especially the story of the centruion. What cought my attention is in Mateo 8:8;

"The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed."

This centrunion, a roman soldier, came to the Lord with the faith that he could heal his daughter. After the Saviour healed his daughter, he said "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel." This really caught my attention. What made the centurior have so great faith, what had he done? After some pondering, I came to realize that this man understood his own unworthiness before the Lord, and knew the power of the saviour. He knew that alone, he could do nothing, but he needed the Lords help. His trust was so great, that even though he was a leader of a group, he set aside his cultures and own ideas to let the Lord take over. He had the firm knowledge that simply by his word, Christ could heal his daughter. We all must obtain this trust in the Saviour to help us with the hard things in this life. As we trust him enought to bring our problems before him, after having done our part and letting him take care of the rest, we are exercising our faith. I only wish to have the faith sufficent to complete with what the Lord wants, and to serve those that he wishes me to serve. I love my Saviour Jesuschrist so much, and I know that in every step of the way, he is beside us, and as we allow him to help we will see his all powerful hand. Of this I testfiy in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.


--

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

June 6, 2016 "Abrid vuestra boca"

Tortillas: 15

De regreso a Huehue! That is right, I am back in Huehuetenango, the place of my birth. But, this time I am in the center, and not in Mexico haha! My new area is great, and so is my new companion, Elder Romero from the Dominican Republic!

Presidente Smith and Elder Romero

 I have known him since Zona Bosque and I love the guys so much, and I am excited to work hard together. My area is right in the center of the city, but one of the biggest city areas because it goes all the way out to a village called San Lorenzo. So, we have it all, City and Village! 

I am super excited to be here, and there is a lot of work to do. It is great to be back with these people and to remember how it is to be hot. The climate here is a lot like San Diego, but this week it has been raining like crazy! I mean, many times I have felt like I was swimming haha! Soaked all the way through, but it feels great to do it all in the Lords work. 

It was not easy to leave my old area, my people that are part of my heart that I will really miss, but I know that the Lord needs me here and now to find his chosen children that are prepared for the gospel. 

Mejor Milagro:

A huge blessing is to have so much time to find people to teach, talking with a lot of people and meeting new people. One of which was when we knocked the door of a woman, but she was not interested. As custom, before we left we asked if she knew anyone that would be interesting in hearing our message, and she refered us to two of her neighbors. We went to the first door and knocked, but no one answered, so we went to the second one and knocked. In the same moment both of the doors were answered by two men, so my companion and I began to talk with them seperatly. it just so turned out that they were cousins, and when one allowed us to enter and share somethings, the other one followed. Also it just so happens that my companion had contacted the Mom of one of them a few days earlier, so we found a new great family! They are very receptive, especially since their grandfather recently passed away. I know how much the Lord loves his children, and I am so grateful that he leads us to those that are in most need of his gospel. 

Testimony time:

This week I found strength from a scritpure in Doctrine and Covenants 33:9

8 Open your mouths and they shall be filled, and you shall become even as Nephi of old, who journeyed from Jerusalem in the wilderness.

The first and most important step in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ is simple and logical, to open your mouth! He wishes that his children can come unto him and enjoy of the marvelous blessing of the everlasting gospel, but many times what keeps them from it is the fact that we are not willing to open our mouths and share the marvelous blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This principle applies to many things in our lives, but what happens is Satan uses fear so that we dont open our mouths in times that we should. Open then to say what is right. Open them to say what others needs. I testify that as we open our mouths they shall be filled by the power of the Holy Spirit, and we will have the power to say what God needs to be effective instruments in his hands. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 May 31, 2016 the day I left to go to Hue Hue

 Bus ride to Hue Hue about 3 1/2 hours from Xela

--

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

5757-5599

June 13, 2016 "si estos escuchan su voz"

Tortillas: 12

Otro semana maravillosa en la bendita ciudad de Huehuetenango! I am so grateful for the many blessings of the Lord and that he puts people in our path to be able to bring them back to him. This week we talked to MANY people and have been searching like crazy for those that are willing to hear the voice of the Lord and experiment for themselves the truth of the glorious restoration. As a missionary, the goal is to go where the Lord needs you and to follow the guidance of the spirit to be able to be effective instruments in his hands. This is a huge exersize of faith, but the wonderful thing is that we decide how our faith is, whether it is strong or it is weak depending on our actions. It is a daily process to work towards having the faith that God needs to work through us, but I testify that it is worth it! 

Welcome to our Casa

Mejor Milagro:

I have learned even more the need to have the Holy Spirit as we plan our days. Every day we can testify to the people that Jesus Christ himself has sent us to there house if we are guided by the spirit and know for ourselves that he is guiding us. One day this week as we planned, we felt that we needed to go to a village, San Lorenzo, in our area because that is where there were people that needed us. We knew no one in this village. When the bus left us at a four we cross, we listened to the spirit to know where to go, and both felt the same direction. We then began to talk to every person possbile, but the process of finding the prepared people is usually not quick, defenitely not on our time. But, as we continued, our faith continued to be tested but we continued. We ended up finding a member from another ward who directed us towards 2 of his friends. We contacted one, and continued. Eventually we found a family that allowed us in, and were quite possitive. But, as we were finishing we asked if they knew anyone we could visit, and the directed us towards one of the people that the member referred to us. We knew in that moment that he was the one in need. We arrived at his house and met a young man, covered in grease as to be workng on cars and with an ear ring. We began to talk to him, and find why the Lord had sent us here. It became very clear when we asked him "In this moment, what would you ask Jesus Christ for?" to which he responded "My Salvation." We were able to testify of the knowledge we bring that has been restored through a living prophet, knowledge that he can use to be on the path to obtain his salvation. We continued working, and found more people that the Lord had prepared. I know that God loves his children so much, and that every day he leads us to those that are in much need of him, as we follow his direction through the spirit. 

Testimony time:

As I have continued to read in the Book of Mormon, I found something that impacted me in 2 Nephi 9:21

 21 And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.

What caught my attention in the verse is one small word; if. Christ came to the world and gave his life for us, with the condition that we "hearken unto his voice". He cannot force us to follow him, but it is our descicion. As a missionary, this helped me remember that each person on this earth has the gift of agency, and we must find those people that are willing to hear the voice of the Good Pastor and follow that voice. Are we willing to be those that hearken unto his voice? When we are before him, I am sure in some way he will ask us if we hearkened unto his voice and the voice of his servents. There is not greater way to life this life than listening and follow the voice of our Saviour. He is calling our to each of us, and he does so every day, what we must do is listen. If not, we must also understand the consequences. If we dont hearken unto his voice, his suffering has no effect upon us. It is sad to see those people that do not wish to listen, but I know that our God is merciful and willing to continue calling us, and even if it takes years and years we can all make the descicion to follow his voice. I love my Saviour so much, and I feel so grateful to work together with him in this glorious work of Salvation. So, are we willing to hearken unto his voice? I testify that he is calling, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

--

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net

5757-5599

May 30, 2016 "Saying Goodbye"

Elder Silvia, my brother

                           President Smith and supervisor (ME)  :)                          

      Tierra Blanca on our way to Hue Hue for conference

Hi Mama! 

I am doing great! The first thing that I should let you know is that I will be having changes. It will be very different, but I am excited. I will be going back to Huehue, and I will be with a great comp, Elder Romero! I am very excited. 

 Also, I will not be writing any more on Saturdays, but on Mondays, so I will be ready to hear from you next monday! It has been a great week, and I am so grateful for the miracles that we were able to see and the great work done. 

I am happy to leave the area strong for Elder Silva and the next Elder. It is kind of a bummer that a couple we were going to baptize won't be baptized and married until this Saturday, but God know why. 

Here in Xela it is pretty cold, but I am used to it. I will now have to adjust to the Hot haha! But, my new area will be cool because it is part in the center of the city and part villages! Haha I never would have remembered that it was memorial day. They dont celebrate it here, but it is alot like day of the dead in November. 

Love,

Gabriel

This wonderful friend and member of the ward is leaving to serve the Lord.

I have loved serving in Xela, I will always remember the great people and friends I have here.

 My great friend Alejandro. 

It is always hard to say goodbye but I know I will see these great people again.

May 21, 2016 "te he purificado"

Starting our trip to Hue Hue!  

Tortillas: 5


Una semana bendecida y lleno de gozo! This week was a bit crazy, with only 2 days so far to be able to work in our area! We took a trip about 2.5 hours away from Xela to Huehue to finish up multizone conferences. 

chapel in Tierra Blanca

While we were there, we stayed with Elder Hicken and Elder Romero, 

and in the night we were able to go out visiting with them! It was a week full of much learning, and very tiring, but that is part of what makes it great. There is nothing better than working like crazy and arriving home very tired, so tired that the second your head hits the pillow you are out haha! One of the many things I have learned in the mission is to love so much work! It is the most satisfying.


Mejor Milagro:


While in Huehue, I was able to leave with Elder Hicken to do visits. One of those visits included a man that they had met a few days earlier who was blind. He had not been blind his whole life, but just as of 5 months ago because of an accident that he was in. This has been a great trial for him, and he has felt very alone and lost. He explained that he had felt like he had seperated from God in his tribulation. While we talked, I remembered a scripture that I had read just that morning before starting the multizone conference. It is in D&C 58:


2 For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven.

3 Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

4 For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.

5 Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which is to follow.


As I shared it, we could see that it touched him, and his eyes began to water. He opened to us that he had great desires to return to church, but he simply did not know how and did not feel worthy to do so. So, we invited him to come this Sunday, and with a bit of a push he accepted. I feel so grateful to see that I was simply an instrument in the hands of the Lord, to be lead to give comfort to one of his beloved children in the right time and at the right place.


Testimony time:


The title of the email comes from 1 Nefi 20:10, it says:

10 For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.


A couple of weeks ago as I was meditating, this scripture came into my mind but I simply could not remember where it was! But, this week I found it, and I love the simple principle that it teaches. All of us encounter trials and tests in our lives. It is normals, and in the scriptures it even teaches us that this life is a time of preparation and trial. Many times, when there trials come, if we dont understand the eternal purposes of the tests, they can make us bitter towards God or towards other people. Here the Lord teaches us that the reason behind him allowing us to pass these afflictions is for our own better and and our progress. It is an opportunity for us to purify ourselves and to refine ourselves. It reminds of how Samurai Swords and made, by much heat and much pounding and folding, to make it the strongest. As well as with precious minerals, though a high heat process the imperfections are able to come out. As we see our problems in this manner, we can come to grow from these troubles, and we can receive divine strength to conquer these times of dificulty. I testify of a loving Heavenly Father, who knows each of us personally and regonizes our trials personally. In the times when we feel like it is the hardest, we can see truly as God sends his angels to lift us and carry us through this trial. I testify of the atonement of our saviour Jesus Christ, and that he truly did suffer every sickness and trial, and we can look towards him for strenght and his perfecting power. Of this I testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

A school in Hue Hue with President Monsons name on it!  So cool!!!

Elder Silva in front of the school! 

 A sweet family in Xela asked us for service, we said yes, and it was to kill chickens to eat!  Great Experience.

Elder Richardson
Misión Guatemala Quetzaltenango
josephr@myldsmail.net